Field hockey stumps Scituate, 3-0

By Allison Goldsmith

Saturday

Mar 1, 2014 at 2:00 AM

The varsity field hockey team is heading into the second half of the season with a boost of confidence after defeating Scituate at home 3-0 Saturday. In other action this week, Nantucket tied Bourne 1-1 last Wednesday and was forced to cancel Sunday’s home match against Falmouth due to inclement weather. As of Tuesday, no make-up date had been announced.

With the win over Scituate on

Saturday, the Whalers improved to 3-3-3 overall on the season.

“That was definitely what we needed. We are halfway through the season and have nine points,” head coach Lori Moran said.

Teams unaffiliated with a league need 18 points to advance to tournament play. A win is worth two points while ties earn one.

“We know we have to pull out

some wins against teams we tied. We have to beat Wareham, Bourne and Mashpee,” Moran said.

The Whalers will not return to action until next Wednesday, Oct. 11 against Norwood. The game was originally scheduled for this Saturday.

In the first half this season, Nantucket has above all else played consistent field hockey, much to the delight of its head coach.

“The kids have been steady. We don’t have a star, we have 10 to 12 really hard-working girls. Teams can’t pick on one side or the other, which is our advantage,” Moran said.

Against Scituate on Saturday, the closely-matched teams played to a scoreless first half.

Photo by Nicole Harnishfeger

Lia Newman takes the free hit for the Whalers in their game against Scituate on Saturday, Sept. 30.

“The first half started a little slow, but (goalie) Katie (McInerney) made a couple big saves to keep us in it. I had a good feeling if we could keep it tied in the first half, we could take it in the second half,” Moran said.

In the second half the Whalers relied on that consistent play while taking advantage of inconsistencies on the Sailors’ side of the field.

Scituate had a strong tandem on the right side of the field that made it difficult for Nantucket’s left side to advance the ball in the first half. At halftime the Whalers made an adjustment to carry the ball up the right side of the field and cross to the left on offense. The move paid off as Nantucket put much more pressure on the Scituate net in the second half.

Fifteen minutes in, Cassie Moran scored the first goal of the game off an assist from Fraser Long. Later in the half, Moran sent a crossing pass to Erin Lindsay, who got the ball to Grace Ann Tornovish, who knocked it past the keeper to put the Whalers up 2-0. With about five minutes remaining, Emily Pitts sealed the game with a goal assisted by Moran.

The Whalers had been working on carrying the ball laterally in practice earlier in the week and immediately saw that practice pay off during the game.

“It was merely that adjustment we made at halftime. They knew they could beat them and just came out and played hockey,” Moran said. “They want it. They listen to adjustments. Trying to teach them how to recognize something like that and making that simple change, works.”

Karina Ramirez added a spark to the Whalers and Long also played well in the win. McInerney played her best game of the season in net with nine saves, Moran said.

Strong second half

Against Bourne last Wednesday, the Whalers dominated the game, especially in the second half, but despite 19 shots, could not put the go-ahead goal in the net.

“That was probably the most frustrating game. Our talent level was way above them, we just had no luck. There were good shots and we had the ball in our end about 80 percent of the game,” Moran said.

In the first half Sarah Nabulsi put a shot on net from the left side to the far right corner. The goal was assisted by Cassie Moran for the 1-0 lead. With four minutes remaining in the half, Bourne’s Nicole Ashworth added the tying score.

Bourne goalie Colleen Grant put on a show in the second half, handling all 19 shots the Whalers sent in her direction. To handle the onslaught, the Canalmen played for the tie, putting nine players in the circle against the Whalers attack.

“I thought even in that crowded, banged-up circle they were trying to make the pass to the open girl,” Moran said.

The Whalers had opportunities to take the lead on shots by Lindsay, Lia Newman and a penalty stroke by Cassie Moran, but each was turned away as Bourne escaped with the 1-1 tie.

Reach Allison Goldsmith at sports@inkym.com

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Inquirer and Mirror ~ One Old South Road, Nantucket, MA 02554 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service